A group of private credit firms are providing nearly $1.4 billion of loans to support Centerbridge’s acquisition of financial software platform MeridianLink, according to sources https://t.co/j5Y9mb4cP0 ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Stantec reported net revenue of CAD 1.6 billion for Q2 2025, an increase of 6.9% year-over-year, driven primarily by 4.8% organic growth [7][13] - Adjusted EBITDA grew by 15% with a margin of 17.8%, reflecting a 120 basis point increase compared to the previous year [8][14] - Adjusted EPS increased over 21% to CAD 1.36 compared to Q2 2024 [14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Energy and Resources business experienced high single-digit organic growth, while the Water segment achieved 12.4% organic growth [7][10] - In the U.S., net revenue increased by 5.7%, supported by 4.4% organic growth, with strong demand in mission-critical, science and technology, and civic sectors [8][10] - Canadian net revenue grew by 6.2%, with over 30% organic growth in the Water segment driven by major wastewater projects [10][11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Global business delivered net revenue growth of 10.5% in Q2, with 4.3% organic and 3.6% acquisition growth [10] - The U.S. organic backlog increased by 9.8% year-over-year, indicating strong demand in water, energy, and data centers [20][31] - The UK, Australia, and New Zealand saw double-digit organic growth in the water business due to public sector investments [11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Stantec aims to increase net revenue growth guidance for 2025 to 10% to 12%, up from the previous 7% to 10% [23] - The company is focused on strong project execution and operational excellence, with plans to continue pursuing acquisitions [27] - Stantec's strategic plan targets a 17% to 18% adjusted EBITDA margin, expected to be achieved a year early [25] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about accelerating organic growth in the U.S. for the second half of the year, despite some caution in the private sector [30][56] - The company noted that macro trends such as aging infrastructure and energy security continue to drive demand [26][90] - Management highlighted the importance of recent funding programs and infrastructure investments as supportive of future growth [89] Other Important Information - Stantec's contract backlog stood at CAD 7.9 billion, reflecting approximately twelve months of work, with year-over-year growth of nearly 10% [19] - The company completed several acquisitions, including Page, which is expected to enhance its capabilities in key growth sectors [5][18] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on U.S. Customers' Sentiment - Management noted some initial caution among U.S. customers but expects organic growth to accelerate in the second half of the year, particularly in water and energy sectors [30][31] Question: Integration of Recent Acquisitions - Integration of Ryan Hanley and Cosgrove is progressing well, with Page's integration planned for completion by the end of the year [34] Question: Margin Guidance and Contributors - Adjusted EBITDA margin guidance was increased to 17% to 17.4%, driven by strong project margins and lower administrative costs [41][42] Question: Water Segment Growth Drivers - Continued strength in the water business is attributed to ongoing projects in water treatment and wastewater treatment, with significant demand expected to persist [48][49] Question: U.S. Market Long-term Outlook - Management remains optimistic about the U.S. market, citing ongoing infrastructure investments and the potential for accelerated growth in the coming years [54][58] Question: Impact of Slower Growth on Pricing - No significant pricing pressure has been observed despite slower growth, with management confident in maintaining project margins [120][122] Question: M&A Landscape Update - The M&A environment is becoming increasingly active, with expectations for more assets to come to market in the near future [98]

Bending Spoons, a serial acquirer of software businesses, has raised more than €500 million in debt to buy more firms https://t.co/uzssxFo1Lg ...

Thoma Bravo has held talks with private credit lenders to raise $600 million of debt to help finance its acquisition of hospitality software company Olo, according to sources https://t.co/R8Tz1OJaph ...

Acquisition Financing - Cardinal Health plans to sell bonds in the US investment-grade primary market to fund its acquisition of Solaris Health [1]

Acquisition Details - Cardinal Health agreed to acquire Solaris Health for $1.9 billion [1] - The acquisition expands Cardinal Health's multispecialty strategy [1] Industry Focus - The deal represents Cardinal Health's latest acquisition in the urology category [1]

Core Viewpoint - Star Group, L.P. (SGU) has experienced a decline in share price and underperformed against the S&P 500 index following its third-quarter fiscal 2025 results, indicating challenges in revenue and profitability [1] Q3 Results - For the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2025, Star Group reported revenues of $305.6 million, a decrease of 7.8% from $331.6 million in the prior-year quarter, attributed to lower product sales volumes and decreased selling prices [2] - Home heating oil and propane volume fell by 3.8% to 36.2 million gallons, with customer attrition and warmer weather impacting performance [2] Financial Performance - The company reported a net loss of $16.6 million, compared to a loss of $11 million in the same period last year, with an adjusted EBITDA loss widening to $10.6 million from $4.1 million [3] - Loss per share was 48 cents, wider than the 31 cents loss in the previous year [3] Other Key Business Metrics - Service and installation performance improved, with gross profit rising by $0.6 million to $14 million, reflecting expense control [4] - Delivery and administrative expenses increased by $4.3 million year over year, primarily due to acquisition-related costs [4] Year-to-Date Performance - In the first nine months of fiscal 2025, volumes rose by 11.8% to 262.6 million gallons, supported by colder weather and acquisitions [5] - Product gross profit for the nine months grew by 13% to $480 million, with net income increasing by 45% year over year to $102.2 million [5] Management Commentary - Management highlighted improved service metrics and benefits from propane acquisitions, despite seasonal weaknesses and customer attrition [6] - The company aims to expand its customer base in propane and heating oil while diversifying revenue streams to mitigate weather sensitivity [6] Factors Influencing Results - Revenue decline was linked to reduced heating oil and propane demand due to warmer temperatures, which were 2% warmer than last year and 19.3% warmer than normal [7] - Selling prices fell alongside a 14.3% decline in wholesale product costs [7] Margin Pressures - Margins faced pressure from acquisition-related mix effects, although acquisitions contributed positively to adjusted EBITDA during a typically loss-making quarter [8] - Expense growth was primarily driven by acquisition-related integration costs, while base business expenses were managed tightly [8] Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving strong fiscal 2025 performance, citing benefits from acquisitions and improved operational execution [10] - The company is positioned as a more resilient and diversified energy provider capable of adapting to varied weather conditions [10] Other Developments - Star Group completed four acquisitions in fiscal 2025, with a focus on propane, which significantly contributed to quarterly results [11] - AI technology has been introduced into customer service interfaces to enhance responsiveness while maintaining a personal touch [11]

Source:https://t.co/LyIo61ceD8LayerZero (@LayerZero_Core):The LayerZero Foundation has proposed an acquisition of Stargate (STG).Bring the Bridge Home. https://t.co/OfB4eV2r96 ...

Acquisition Proposal - LayerZero Foundation proposes to acquire Stargate at $0.1675 per token [1] - The proposal aims to integrate Stargate into the ZRO ecosystem and dissolve the Stargate DAO [1] Market Reaction - ZRO experienced a 10% increase following the acquisition news [1] - STG rose by 5% to $0.175 [1]

LayerZero Foundation proposes $110 million acquisition of Stargate bridge as token struggles https://t.co/gK607e0pW4 ...